The Joy of the Coming of Spring - Pixel's First Spring Poem

It has turned to be a tough winter for a lot of people across the U.S. and abroad. Many tough snow storms have wreaked havoc on many locations. However, spring in in the air and on our minds now that it is March, so I wrote a short poem to get us in the mood. 

Snow is on the ground, but I will not wear a frown. 

Joy is in my heart so I'll let that light a spark. 

I can handle any storm, I can deal with any weather, 

As long as I have you, we can go through it together. 

Spring is in the air, I see smiles everywhere, 

I think that I shall grow pretty flowers in my hair.

I hope your day is filled with sunshine and flowers, whether outside or in your heart friends. And remember to always wear a smile. It makes you feel good inside and out and you just don't know how it will make someone else feel good too!

I'd love to know if any of my friends are experiencing some spring like weather, so let me know in a comment. 

The Joy of Silly Sunday Selfies - Pixel Borrows Mommy's Camera

Mommy left her cell phone on the bed again, and I just couldn't help but take a few selfies. It sure brought a smile to her face and a few giggles when she saw these. Which selfie is your favorite?

Welcome to Selfie Sunday! This is my first time taking part in this fun blog hop with my kitty friend Misty May from The Cat on my Head blog. Lots of our fellow cat & dog friends joined in today, so visit some of the links below to see other fun pet selfies!

WINNERS ANNOUNCED in the 12 Days of Christmas "The Case of the Wayward Fae: A Chronicle of Mister Marmee" GIVEAWAY!!

Hello Friends! I am so very excited to reveal the winners in the 12 Days of Christmas "The Case of the Wayward Fae: A Chronicle of Mister Marmee" GIVEAWAY!! As promised, we have 7 winners.

First, I'll give a breakdown of the prizes, as first listed in the book review and giveaway post from December 24th, 2014.
1st Prize ~ Autographed 2 Book Set "The Chronicles of Mister Marmee" by H.L. Stephens (1 winner)
2nd Prize ~ Autographed copy of "The Case of the Wayward Fae" by H.L. Stephens (2 winners!)
3rd Prize ~ e-Book copy of "The Case of the Wayward Fae" by H.L. Stephens (4 Winners!!)

AND THE 7 WINNERS ARE....
1. 1st Prize - Cheryl M.
2. 2nd Prize - Janet K.
3. 2nd Prize - Sharon E.
4. 3rd Prize - Coyote B.
5. 3rd Prize - Brenda H.
6. 3rd Prize - Laura B. S.
7. 3rd Prize - Becky

Congratulations Winners!!!

I will be emailing each of these winners so that I can get their print or e-books to them as soon as possible. I hope that each winner enjoys the books immensely! Please let me know what you think. I always love to hear about a good book, even when I've already read it! Thank you so much friends for all of you who took part in this fantastic giveaway. It was loads of fun and I can't wait to do it again. That's right, stay tuned for other giveaways I'll be having in 2015...I'm planning on many good things, so keep visiting!
If you have any questions or feedback, don't hesitate to email me. My email address spelled out (to avoid getting spammed by automated web bots) is: pixelblueeyes dot blog at gmail dot com.

The Joy of Flower Power - Beautiful Dogs for Adoption with Sophie Gamand Photography

In celebration of National Dog Day, I wanted to share some extraordinary portraits of some extraordinary dogs by a very talented photographer. I first saw the #PitBullFlowerPower portraits by Sophie Gamand a few weeks ago and I fell in love with every single one of them. She has a real gift for  pet photography and a heart for helping pets in need. Sophie chose to do this series only of pit bull breed dogs because they often get a bad rap for no reason. The "pit bull" is actually any one of several breeds including Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, or any mix of those breeds. Sometimes even English Bulldog or Boston Terrier mix dogs are grouped in as pit bulls.
This is what Sophie Gamand says on her website about this project: ""Flower Power" is about challenging myself to approach pit bulls with a fresh perspective and an open heart. I invite the viewer to do the same." To me ALL dogs are beautiful, and these amazing portraits highlight just how beautiful they are! Some of these dogs have since been adopted, but most of them are still in need of a loving forever home. Please share this post with all your friends, on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+ and other social media pages and let's find ALL of them a home this week!! Doesn't every single dog deserve a loving home?

Lovely Lucy is a 9 year young female pit bull/Labrador mix with the most infectious smile and beautiful amber eyes. Lucy is loyal, smart, sweet as can be and very affectionate.
Lucy was abandoned at a vet's office this past June unable to walk. She was taken in by Animal Haven rescue who got her the surgery she needed. Lucy is still healing and they are unsure if she'll be able to fully walk again, but she's still the sweetest girl around! Lucy would love nothing better than to spend her days bringing smiles and joy to her forever loving best friend or family.
For more information on how to adopt this beautiful flower they call lovely Lucy, visit Lucy's Animal Haven page.

This unique blue & brown eyed beauty is Cali, a beautiful two-and-a-half-year-old Pitbull Terrier mix. Cali is a very sweet pup who loves to play and give kisses. She is very obedient and loving, but she does require some leash training.
Mommy & I have found that positive leash training is a great way to bond, especially when you are a dog who wants to obey and please. So, I bet Cali and her new loving pet parent would pick it up in no time!
For more information on adopting this captivating sweet faced girl, visit Cali's Petango adoption page.

Dharma, the gorgeous geisha girl dog, is a 5 month old female pit/Whippet mix (yes, that's right) with the most beautiful golden green/ice blue eyes you've ever seen. She's just a baby, ready to start a new life with a loving forever family. Dharma is so sweet, long legged, delicate and aims to please. She will make someone a fantastic best friend! She will probably be on the smaller size too.
For more information and to put an application in to adopt this beautiful flower, visit Dharma's Animal Haven adoption page.
Thank you Sophie Gamand, for doing this beautiful flower series for all these pit bull pups. Thank you for believing in them and helping others to see the beauty they've always had! To see many more pit bull flowering beauties up for adoption, please visit Sophie's special #PitBullFlowerPower page.
This is a "Tuesday's Tails" blog hop, where homeless pets are featured to help them find homes. It's sponsored by our friends at Dogz & Paws. To see other pets up for adoption who need loving homes, visit some of the other blog links below.

The Joy of Awards - Nominate Pixel for a BlogPaws 2014 Nose to Nose Award

I am a little dog with BIG DREAMS. Right now, a big dream of mine is actually possible, but I need the help of all my friends...so gather 'round, and let me tell you about it.
By now everyone should know how much I love BlogPaws. They are the premiere pet blogging and social media company that brings pet bloggers, pet parents and pet companies together to do wonderful things all in the name of us pets. Well, "Awards Season" is upon us and the BlogPaws team is currently taking nominations for the 3rd Annual Nose to Nose Awards. I am both a pet blogger and what they call a "micro blogger" (someone who uses social media such as Facebook and Twitter as part of their online presence), so there are several awards that I am eligible for. They have a total of 12 Nose to Nose Awards!!

I went to my very first BlogPaws conference last year, in May 2013. I remember sitting in the audience during the 2nd Annual BlogPaws Nose to Nose Award show thinking, "I wonder if I, Pixel Blue Eyes, will ever get a chance to be one of those winners..." Well, now is my chance!
The knowledge and friendships I've gained from being a part of the BlogPaws community, my experiences at the conference, and the opportunities I've gained from all of this has been extraordinary. I have grown so much as a blogger and can't wait to do even more!

Writing this blog for you has brought me such joy and I hope that I've brought some joy and laughter into your life as well. I'd be honored if you would consider nominating me for one (or several) of the awards. It's really easy to do, and I will give you all the information you need below.

AWARD CATEGORIES (that link to the quick and easy nomination forms):

• Best Cause Blog
• Best Dog Blog
• Best Cat Blog
• Best Other Pet Blog
• Best New Pet Blog
• Best Humor Blog

• Best Blog Post
• Best Design
• Best Pet Blog Photo
• Best Pet Blog Video
• Best Pet MicroBlogger
• Best Use of Social Media by a 501(c)3

IMPORTANT INFO YOU NEED TO NOMINATE PIXEL BLUE EYES:

Blog Writer's Homepage:  www.pixelblueeyes.com
(For No Tail Left Behind, it's www.NoTailLeftBehind.com)
Contact Name for Blog Writer:  Jenny Lewis
Contact Email:  pixelblueeyes.blog@gmail.com
Facebook page:  #/pixelblueeyes
(For No Tail Left Behind, it's #/NoTailLeftBehind)
Twitter page:  www.twitter.com/pixelblueeyes
(For No Tail Left Behind, it's www.twitter.com/NoTailLeftBhind)
HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS OF CATEGORIES I AM ELIGIBLE FOR:
Best Humor Blog
How often do I make you LOL, BOL, or even MOL (meow out loud)?
Best Blog Post
Here's some of my personal favorites that were a huge hit, along with the direct link to each post!
In Search of Long Lost Kibble - A Pixel Adventure
https://www.pixelblueeyes.com/2013/05/in-search-of-long-lost-kibble-pixel.html
The Joy of Adventure - Pixel Tries Her Paw at Being a Survivalist
https://www.pixelblueeyes.com/2013/04/the-joy-of-adventure-pixel-tries-her.html
A Twist of Fate on Pixel's Wordless Wednesday
https://www.pixelblueeyes.com/2014/01/TwistFatePixelWordlessWednesday.html
The Joy of America's Independence - Pixel and her Sisters Get Into Character
https://www.pixelblueeyes.com/2013/07/the-joy-of-americas-independence-pixel.html
The Joy of the U.S. Constitution - Happy Constitution Day!
https://www.pixelblueeyes.com/2013/09/the-joy-of-us-constitution-happy.html
Pixel the Prison Pup Tells Her Tail
https://www.pixelblueeyes.com/2013/11/happy-halloween-pixel-prison-pup-tells.html
The Joy of a Pretty Day - Pixel Dances in the Sunshine
https://www.pixelblueeyes.com/2013/07/the-joy-of-pretty-day-pixel-dances.html
Best Design
Whether for my Blog, Facebook page, or Twitter page...you know you like it.
Best Pet Blog Photo
(Look through my blog or Facebook page to choose your favorite)
See below for STEPS on how to get the photo link/URL for the ones you want to nominate

Best Pet Micro Blogger
(Do you enjoy my Pixel Blue Eyes Facebook and Twitter pages? How about my No Tail Left Behind Facebook campaign page? Well, they both count here, so why not nominate them both!
Best Cause Blog - www.notailleftbehind.com
(Through this educational campaign, I educate about the dangers of tail docking. I've helped hundreds of docked tail dogs and their families, shared lots of important information on how tail docking negatively affects dogs, and changed the hearts and minds of several breeders who no longer dock puppy tails thanks to learning from my Facebook and online campaign. I myself live with chronic nerve pain and permanent health issues due to my docked tail that was taken before I adopted Mommy.)
A panel of professionals will judge the candidates based on creativity, expertise, and performance. NOTE: During nomination, participants will NOT be required to garner votes or drive likes to their social media sites. Whew! Thank goodness for that!
QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE NOSE TO NOSE AWARDS:

1. Anyone can nominate a blog. That means YOU my friend.
2. There is no limit to the number of nominations you can make! As many blogs and as many nominations as you'd like.
3. Bloggers are judged on their expertise, creativity and performance in one or more of the 12 categories. 

3. A group of distinguished professionals in the industry will review and judge ALL the nominations and select the chosen final nominees for each category. There is no "daily voting" or anything like that. You just nominate the blog for as many award(s) as you wish in a short form available on the Nose to Nose nomination page. Each nomination must have it's own form filled out. (RULES)

3. Nominations WILL BE CLOSED by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, February 12, 2014.
So get those nominations in as soon as you can.

4. The winners will be announced at the 2014 BlogPaws Conference in Lake Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday night, May 10, 2014 during a glamorous live broadcast award show and banquet.

STEPS ON HOW TO GET PHOTO LINK/URL TO NOMINATE A PHOTO:
1. Select (click on) a photo you like in my blog or Facebook page. It will open up sort of "above" the browser window.
2. Right click on the photo and select "copy image URL".
3. Double check that the link works by pasting it into a new window or tab to see if that exact photo shows in a new window.
4. After verifying you copied the URL correctly, paste it into the "Best Pet Blog Photo" nomination form.
Okay friends, I've given you all the information you need. Now, go and nominate Pixel Blue Eyes and ALL your favorite blogs and photos for the 2014 BlogPaws Nose to Nose Awards!!

The Joy of a Pretty Day - Pixel Dances In the Sunshine

When it's pretty outside and not too hot, I love to dance in the sunshine on the green, green grass!

First, I get up on my hind legs to see Mommy better and get into position.

Then I start twirling. I love how my ears fly as I twirl!

I get my front paws involved too, as they help me keep balanced. Then I throw my head back and enjoy it!

I always love to end my twirls with a huge smile! Tada!!

Do you like to dance in the sunshine?

Happy Wordless Wednesday!! Let's go see what my other pet blogging friends are up to...just click a link or two (or 100, BOL!) below.

The Joy of Being Cute - Pixel's "Puppy Dog Eyes"

As every dog knows, being cute and adorable is important. Just like the master of any fine skill, dog's have to practice some of their best techniques to stay sharp, er, I mean, cute and cuddly. This is one of my best "Puppy Dog Eyes" looks that I give Mommy sometimes. What do you think? Is it working?

The Joy of Being Coy with Mommy

Mommy and I have a special language all our own, and I can tell her in a look what I am really thinking, wanting or feeling. Sometimes I try to mix it up a bit and get my way without her knowing it. This was my latest attempt....
"You sure are pretty Mommy. Have I told you lately how pretty you are? I was just walking by the kitchen here, minding my own business, when I saw you. You must be the prettiest Mommy in all the world. I'm not just saying that either. It's really true. I bet if they lined up all the Mommies in the world, you would by far be the prettiest, loveliest, most giving, generous..."
"What Mommy? ...trying to con you into getting a piece of chicken from you? I can't believe you'd even think that..."

Hahaha! So...do you think I ever got a piece of chicken from her? It sure is fun being coy with Mommy! Would you give a little piece of boiled chicken to a little dog with a face that was looking at you like this?